Tuesday, February 28, 2012

During Monday night's Guns N’ Roses show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Axl took a few moments to explain why he failed to show up for a GNR gig in the city in December of 2002, resulting in a riot which sent five people to the hospital.

“I already got sued for about, everything I own by f**kin' corporate radio and s**t,” begain Axl. “Now we're back on tour…I have to shut up. I did cancel the first show, at about six in the morning. My manager told me he canceled it and then didn't. And then Clear Channel wanted us to f**k up, because they wanted to end the tour. 'Cause they had some s**t going on in Florida or something… I don't know… a whole bunch of bulls**t. But I got really sick; it had nothing to do with fur coats and basketball games, you know. I love Philly. I came to visit here a few times and I really liked it. So I said, 'OK we're gonna risk it, what if we can throw in a show in Philly?' So it's good to be here with you people. I want to apologize for my part of that. You know, so… I'm not saying I'm innocent.”

According to Philadelphia news stations, the 2002 incident included an opening act at the First Union Center that performed for two hours before the show was called off, reportedly “due to health issues.”

The 2002 Chinese Democracy Tour was the band’s first major trip since 1993, was eventually shut down just five days following the Philly incident. 35 dates had originally been scheduled, but the band ended up performing at only 16.

This week’s gig was part of GNR’s current “Up Close And Personal Tour” of the States, which sees the band playing intimate theatre shows as opposed to their regular arena dates.